Effect of Anulom Vilom and Bhastrika Pranayama on the Vital Capacity and Maximal Ventilatory Volume

Full Length Research paper

Effect of anulom vilom and bhastrika pranayama on the vital capacity and maximal ventilatory volume

Baljinder Singh Bal

Department of Physical Education (T), Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, (Punjab), India. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: 00919876448434.

Accepted 15 March, 2010

To determine the effects of Anulom Vilom and Bhastrika Pranayama on Vital Capacity and Maximal Ventilatory Volume, thirty (N = 30) randomly selected male students aged 18 - 26 years volunteered to participate in the study from D.A.V. Institute of Engineering and Technology, Jalandhar (Punjab), India. They were randomly assigned into two groups: A (experimental) and B (control). The subjects were subjected to the eight week pranayama training programme that includes “Anulom Vilom Pranayam” and “Bhastrika Pranayam”. The between-group differences were assessed using the Student’s t-test for dependent data. The level of p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. The vital capacity and maximal ventilatory volume significantly improved in group A compared with the control one. Pranayama training programme may be recommended to improve vital capacity and maximal ventilatory volume.

Key words: Pranayama-bhastrika-anulom, vilom-vital, capacity-maximal ventilatory volume.

INTRODUCTION

Yogic techniques are known to improve one’s overall called “Nadishuddhi Pranayama”, in this breathing performance and work capacity (Bhattacharyya and technique you inhale from one nostril at one time and Krishna, 1960). Yoga appears to provide a comparable release the breath through the other nostril. improvement in stress, anxiety and health status There have been many studies on yoga and its effects (Caroline et al., 2007). Yogic practices can be used as on physical function (Hadi, 2007) but with the psychophysiologic stimuli to increase endogenous phenomenal and ever increasing popularity of pranayama secretion of melatonin, which in turn, might be in the past few years, there is a lack of study on this responsible for improved sense of well-being (Harinath et particular discipline and as a result the present study has al., 2004). Training to yoga respiration selectively been undertaken to examine the effects of anulom vilom increases the respiratory sensation, perhaps through its and bhastrika pranayama on the vital capacity and persistent conditioning of the breathing pattern (Florence maximal ventilatory volume. et al., 2005). Perhaps one of the most powerful tools in yogic practices is the use of the breath to bring our MATERIALS AND METHODS consciousness back in tune with the Divine Cosmic Breath. This cosmic breath is the rhythm of life itself. Subjects Yoga breathing, or pranayama, is the science of breath control. Pranayama (breathing exercise), one of the yogic Thirty randomly selected male students aged 18 - 26 years techniques can produce different physiological responses volunteered to participate in the study from D.A.V. Institute of Engineering and Technology, Jalandhar (Punjab), India. They were in healthy individuals (Upadhyay et al., 2008). The randomly assigned into two groups: A (experimental) and B science of pranayama is based on the retention of prana (control). The subjects were subjected to the eight week pranayama called 'kumbhaka'. Among the many kinds of pranayama, training programme. This lasted 8 weeks and consisted of daily anulom vilom and bhastrika are considered as one of the sessions, lasting 50 min each, which included “Anulom Vilom significant types of the core structuration of pranayama. Pranayam” and “Bhastrika Pranayam” (Figure 1). Bhastrika pranayama is mainly a combination of

Kapalbhati and Uijayee. Rapid succession of forcible Methodology expulsion is a characteristic feature of bhastrika pranayama, whereas anulom vilom pranayama is also Spirometer was used to measure vital capacity. The subject was 12 J. Phys. Educ. Sport Manag.

Figure 1. Pranayam. A- Anulom Vilom Pranayam, B- Bhastrika Pranayam

made to sit and breathe normally through the mouthpiece of of significance. Thus it may be concluded that eight week spirometer. Subjects filled their lung as much as possible. As soon pranayama training programme showed significant as they had their lungs fully inflated, they blew all the air out as fast improvement in vital capacity. As per the study the above as they could. The procedure was repeated thrice. Maximal Ventilatory Volume was measured by a spirometer. The subject remark can be given at 95% confidence. The graphical was made to sit and breathe through the mouthpiece. The bell was representation of responses has been exhibited in Figure no more than half filled. The subject was instructed to take a series 2. of deep breathes in and out for 10 - 20 s. They breathe out and hold Table 6 shows that the mean of maximal ventilatory it for about 3 - 5 s. The procedure was repeated thrice. Correct the volume of pre-test of experimental group and post test of highest volume from 10 - 20 seconds to one minute. The between-group differences were assessed using the experimental (Table 5) group was 109.466 and 132.466 Student’s t-test for dependent data. The level of p ≤ 0.05 was respectively, whereas the mean of maximal ventilatory considered significant. volume of pre-test of control and post-test of control group was 115.333 and 117.400. The “t” value in case of experimental group was 8.322 and for control group it RESULTS was 3.141. Since cal. t (= 8.322) > tab t 0.05 (14) (= 2.145), Ho (null hypothesis) is rejected at .05 level of The study was conducted to determine the effects of significance. Thus it may be concluded that eight week anulom vilom and bhastrika pranayama on vital capacity pranayama training programme showed significant and maximal ventilatory volume (Table 4). The statistical improvement in maximal ventilatory volume. As per the analysis of data collected on thirty (N = 30) subjects. For study the above remark can be given at 95% confidence. each of the chosen variable, the results pertaining to The graphical representation of responses has been significant difference, if any, between experimental and exhibited in Figure 3. control groups were assessed by “t” test (Florence et al., 2005) and are presented in the Tables. Table 3 shows that the mean of vital capacity of pretest DISCUSSION of experimental group and posttest of experimental group was 2.590 and 3.218, respectively, whereas the mean of Yoga asanas are psychophysical practices to culture vital capacity of pre-test of control and post test of control body and mind. Yoga practices are known to significantly group (Table 2) was 2.767 and 2.785. The “t” value in improve health status, and reduce stress and anxiety. case of experimental group was 13.132 and for control From the results it is evident that the eight week of group it was 1.586. Since cal. t (= 13.132) > tab t 0.05 pranayama training programme showed significant (14) (= 2.145), Ho (null hypothesis) is rejected at .05 level improvement in vital capacity (Table 1) and maximal Orhan 13

Table 1. Vital capacity of experimental group paired samples t-test.

Pre-test Post-test Sample size 15 15 Arithmetic mean 2.5900 3.2180 95% CI for the mean 2.2824 - 2.8976 2.9279 - 3.5081 Variance 0.3086 0.2744 Standard deviation 0.5555 0.5238 Standard error of the mean 0.1434 0.1352 Mean difference 0.6280 Standard deviation 0.1852 95% CI 0.5254 - 0.7306 Test statistic t 13.132 Degrees of freedom (DF) 14 Two-tailed probability P < 0.0001

Table 2. Vital capacity of control group paired samples t-test.

Pre-test Post-test Sample size 15 15 Arithmetic mean 2.7673 2.7847 95% CI for the mean 2.4109 - 3.1238 2.4259 - 3.1434 Variance 0.4143 0.4197 Standard deviation 0.6437 0.6478 Standard error of the mean 0.1662 0.1673 Mean difference 0.01733 Standard deviation 0.04234 95% CI - 0.006112 - 0.04078 Test statistic t 1.586 Degrees of freedom (DF) 14 Two-tailed probability P = 0.1351

Table 3. Mean, standard deviation (sd), standard error of mean (sem) of vital capacity of experimental and control group.

Group Number Mean S.D. SEM ‘t’ Value Experiment (pre-test) 15 2.590 0.555 0.143 13.132 Experimental (post-test) 15 3.218 0.524 0.135 Control (pre-test) 15 2.767 0.644 0.166 Control (post-test) 15 2.785 0.648 0.167 1.586

ventilatory volume. The findings are supported by the supported by the study conducted by Pramanik et al. study conducted by Upadhyay et al. (2008), showed a (2009). Pranayama increases frequency and duration of significant increment in Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR inhibitory neural impulses by activating pulmonary stretch L/min) and Pulse pressure (PP). Although systolic blood receptors during above tidal volume inhalation as in pressure (SBP) was decreased insignificantly, the Hering Bruer reflex, which bring about withdrawal of decrease in pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (RR), sympathetic tone in the skeletal muscle blood vessels, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was significant (Upadhyay leading to widespread vasodilatation, thus causing et al., 2008). In the present study the bhastrika decrease in peripheral resistance and thus decreasing pranayama showed significant improvement in vital the diastolic blood pressure (Pramanik et al., 2009). capacity and maximal ventilatory volume which is Anulom Vilom pranayama also showed significant 14 J. Phys. Educ. Sport Manag.

Table 4. Maximal ventilatory volume of experimental group paired samples t-test.

Pre-test Post-test Sample size 15 15 Arithmetic mean 109.4667 132.4667 95% CI for the mean 97.8734 - 121.0600 118.2955 - 146.6378 Variance 438.2667 654.8381 Standard deviation 20.9348 25.5898 Standard error of the mean 5.4053 6.6073 Mean difference 23.000 Standard deviation 10.7038 95% CI 17.0724 - 28.9276 Test statistic t 8.322 Degrees of freedom (DF) 14 Two-tailed probability P < 0.0001

Table 5. Maximal ventilatory volume of control group paired samples t-test.

Pre-test Post-test Sample size 15 15 Arithmetic mean 115.3333 117.4000 95% CI for the mean 104.6346 - 126.0320 107.0127 - 127.7873 Variance 373.2381 351.8286 Standard deviation 19.3194 18.7571 Standard error of the mean 4.9882 4.8431 Mean difference 2.0667 Standard deviation 2.5486 95% CI 0.6553 - 3.4780 Test statistic t 3.141 Degrees of freedom (DF) 14 Two-tailed probability P = 0.0072

Table 6. Mean, standard deviation (sd), standard error of mean (sem) of maximal ventilatory volume of experimental and control group.

Group Number Mean S.D. SEM ‘t’ Value Experiment (Pre-test) 15 109.466 20.934 5.405 8.322 Experimental (Post-test) 15 132.466 25.589 6.607 Control (Pre-test) 15 115.333 19.319 4.988 Control (Post-test) 15 117.400 18.757 4.843 3.141

improvement in vital capacity and maximal ventilatory breath holding time(Joshi et al., 1992). volume and the result is supported by the study conducted by Joshi et al. (1992). There was improvement in Ventilatory functions in the form of lowered respiratory Conclusion rate (RR), and increases in the forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at the end of 1st second Summing up, the 8-week pranayama training programme (FEV1%), maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV), peak had significant effect on vital capacity and maximal expiratory flow rate (PEFR-lit/sec), and prolongation of ventilatory volume. Thus, such training may be Orhan 15

Figure 2. Mean, standard deviation (sd), standard error of mean (sem) of vital capacity of experimental and control group.

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Figure 3. Mean, standard deviation (sd), standard error of mean (sem) of maximal ventilatory volume of experimental and control group.

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